Organic chemistry is one of the more challenging pre-med subjects, and it’s often asked how many students fail organic chemistry. Exactly how many students fail organic chemistry each year varies by school. But some general information on attrition rates is highlighted below.
How Many Students Fail Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry Failure Rates
There is little large-scale national data on organic chemistry failure and withdraw rates at U.S. universities. The largest study available is by the Gardner Institute, which analyzed “introductory chemistry courses” at 31 institutions (including community colleges and four-year colleges and universities, private and public). The study found an average 29.4% of students dropped, failed, or withdrew from these courses. Unfortunately, the study does not define “introductory chemistry courses,” so it could likely be referring to general chemistry courses rather than organic chemistry courses specifically.
But there are some studies have revealed specific rates at individual schools:
| School | Organic Chemistry drop / Fail / Withdrawal rate |
| Brooklyn College | 40% |
| Dartmouth College | 22% |
| University of Miami | 30- 50% |
| Western Michigan University | 53.5% |
Brooklyn College has a drop, fail, or withdrawal (DFW) rate around 40%. Dartmouth has noted a DFW rate of 22%. The University of Miami has an organic chemistry fail and withdrawal rate averaging between 30- 50%. Western Michigan University has averaged 53.5%. Most of this data is from within the last 10 years. Some represent data from a single year, others represent an average over a period of years.
But these figures still illustrate a concerning level of difficulty, and are likely similar to annual DFW rates for organic chemistry courses on a national scale.
The “Weed-Out” Theory
It’s important to remember that most professors have been working in their field of study for decades. For individuals immersed in that material for that long, it can be difficult to explain these concepts at an introductory level. And it can be difficult for them to understand why people who are learning this material for the first time don’t get it.
Unfortunately, there are professors who see complex chemistry material as elementary, and those who don’t immediately understand this material as then simply “not cut out for the sciences.” It has long been accepted that college chemistry courses function to “weed out” those students who do not “belong.” For pre-med students, college chemistry courses are the number one reason students drop the pre-med track. Read more about the pre-med timeline here.
Statistically, about 84% of pre-med students will ultimately drop the pre-med track, largely because of general and organic chemistry courses. Read more here.
But this “weed out” mentality is very flawed. Many courses will have a small number of students who fail. The question is at what point the failure lies on the academic institution. When more than 50% of students are failing, it begins to look like more of a systemic failure rather than an individual one.
Additionally, there is relatively little organic chemistry in medical school, and student performance in organic chemistry does not indicate whether or not they will be a good doctor. Medical school admissions boards more often use organic chemistry data to determine how well a student can adapt to challenging material and whether or not they persevere.
Failing Organic Chemistry
Clearly, if a student has failed (or were forced to withdraw from) organic chemistry, they are far from alone. Whether or not to retake the course is a personal decision, but it is required for medical school admissions if that is something a student still wants to pursue.
Failing or dropping organic chemistry should not deter students from continuing to pursue medical school. Retaking the course shows perseverance. And performing well in organic chemistry questions on the MCAT shows ultimate understanding of the material. Medical schools absolutely do admit students who had low scores in organic chemistry and even students who had to retake organic chemistry. Retaking both semesters may lengthen the timeline to medical school admission, but extended timelines like these are increasingly common. Read more about potential gap year opportunities here.
Students who are interested in pursuing medicine should note, however, that organic chemistry is only one in a series of challenging courses on the curriculum to become a physician. And while no single course defines you as a doctor, they will challenge you both academically and mentally. If struggling in a course is earth-shattering, then medical school may not be for you. As an undergraduate student, it is worth considering all your career options in healthcare (and career opportunities outside of healthcare).
